Partnership with Builders Academy Update

11 February 2025

Good afternoon,

In February 2024, we announced a joint venture with Builders Academy New Zealand, part of Up Education. The objectives of this partnership were to offer employers and apprentices more choice of vocational education provider, support the best outcomes for the industry through greater competition, and increase industry involvement in training.

We are proud of what’s been achieved in the past year since Builders Academy entered the New Zealand market. The feedback received from members has been positive about having competition in the market and the difference this has made.

In late 2024, due to better-than-expected growth and demand, Builders Academy exceeded its government funding allocation. As they have not been able to secure additional funding for 2025, they have scaled back their operations to focus on delivering services in parts of the North Island (New Plymouth, Auckland, Coromandel, and Whangārei) where they are continuing to support the 600 apprentices they are funded for.

As a nationwide membership organisation, we need to make sure any initiatives we take part in will benefit our membership fairly. As Builders Academy is no longer able to provide nationwide coverage, we mutually agreed to exit the partnership (at no cost) as of December 2024.

We and Builders Academy remain committed to promoting competition and innovation in vocational training for our sector’s apprentices, and we will continue to support the good work Builders Academy is doing. Builders Academy will continue to sponsor our Apprentice of the Year awards programme for the next two years and remain a Master Builders Associate.

As graduates complete their training and spaces become available, Builders Academy will be able to enrol new apprentices in the regions where they have a presence (New Plymouth, Auckland, Coromandel, and Whangārei). If you have questions about your training arrangements with Builders Academy, you can reach out to your Builders Academy Workplace Apprentice Educator or call (07) 853 0292.

BCITO are happy to onboard any apprentices who need/choose to transfer. You can contact BCITO at welcome@bcito.org.nz or call them on 0800 422 486.

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with us at RMB@masterbuilder.org.nz

Many thanks,
Ankit Sharma Chief Executive Officer Master Builders

Kieren Mallon National President Master Builders